In this issue
Hospitals
contribute $4.3B in uncompensated care, health improvement programs to
Minnesota communities
Past five years have seen nearly $1 billion increase in
community benefit
Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems contributed more than $4.3 billion in
programs and services in 2014 to benefit the health of their communities, an
increase of 4.6 percent compared to 2013, according to the latest annual
Community Benefit Report released by the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA).
“Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems work beyond the physical walls of the
hospital to strengthen the health of Minnesotans and our communities,” said
Lawrence Massa, president and CEO of MHA. “We know that much of what influences
our health happens outside of the doctor’s office – in our schools, workplaces
and neighborhoods. Just as our care teams devote themselves to meeting the
needs of patients in the hospital, our hospitals and health systems are driven
to address their own community’s needs.”
Of the $4.3 billion, Minnesota hospitals provided $402 million in proactive
services responding to specific community health needs, such as health
screenings, health education, health fairs, immunization clinics and other
community outreach, including in the areas of fitness, weight loss, mental
health and diabetes prevention.
To learn more and view the full report, visit the MHA website. return to top
Mental
health stakeholder conference to be held March 2
Recognizing the important roles multiple stakeholders play in
building a better mental health system, MHA has joined a coalition of Minnesota
partners to convene a mental health stakeholder conference on Wednesday, March
2, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Maplewood Community Center, 2100 White Bear
Ave., Maplewood, MN 55109.
“Partnering for a Better Mental Health System” will bring together mental
health stakeholders from around the state to address challenges in the adult
mental health system and build on existing strengths. The day will feature
panels and discussion to foster understanding of the barriers within the system
and gain agreement on how to address the barriers among community partners.
The event is supported by the Association of Minnesota Counties, Mental Health
Minnesota, Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs, Minnesota
Association of County Social Services Administrators, Minnesota Department of
Human Services, MHA and NAMI Minnesota.
Register online to attend the conference. There is a
registration fee of $20, which includes lunch. Space is limited, so advance
registration is encouraged. return to top
New
MHA fact sheets and Member Center updates
MHA has developed a series of fact sheets that can be used as
handouts to help members inform legislators, community members and other
stakeholders about important issues impacting Minnesota’s hospitals. Topics
include:
- Overview of Minnesota’s
hospitals
- Health care costs
- Patient safety and quality of
care
- Health care access and quality
rankings
Fact sheets can be found on the MHA website.
The MHA Member Center has been updated with new
resources and reorganized to help you find information easily. Features of the
Member Center include:
- A grassroots search engine,
allowing you to find the contact information for your legislators by
hospital
- Details on MHA committees and
board, including rosters, meeting minutes and issue briefs
- Resources to help you learn
about and participate in the Minnesota’s Hospitals: Strengthening Healthy
Communities campaign
- Updated materials for use in
discussions with legislators and community members, including:
- Health care costs
- Health care quality
- Mental health
The Member Center is username and password protected. For login
information, contact Ashley Beno, member services and
communications specialist, 651-603-3545. return to top
Don’t
miss the chance to earn recognition for your hospital
Nominations due Friday, Feb. 26
Is your hospital a best Minnesota workplace? Do you have an innovative patient
safety program or exemplary caregiver who deserves recognition? If so, don’t
miss the chance to submit a nomination for MHA’s annual awards program. For
more than 30 years, the MHA Awards have celebrated outstanding work by
Minnesota hospitals and health systems – and we want to honor you.
MHA award categories recognize excellence including community health, best
workplace and patient care. Honors for individuals recognize trustees,
volunteers, hospital executives, caregivers and public officials. Additional
information on the categories and judging criteria can be found on the MHA website.
Entries are due by Friday, Feb. 26; find the entry form here: Nomination Form.
MHA will notify all entrants whether they have won in mid-April. A reception
and dinner will take place Friday, May 20, at the Metropolitan Ballroom in
suburban Minneapolis. All
MHA members and associate members are invited and encouraged to attend the
awards ceremony. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for
this celebration of excellence in Minnesota health care.
For more information, contact Sarah Bohnet, MHA visual communications
specialist, 651-603-3494. return to top
HEARRT
Midwest to hold sustainability event March 17
Healthcare Environmental Awareness and Resource Reduction Team
(HEARRT) Midwest will hold “Going Green, Saving Gold: Success Stories from the
OR” on Thursday, March 17, from 2-5 p.m. at Fairview Ridges Hospital, 201 E. Nicollet Blvd.,
Burnsville, MN 55337. The free event will include examples of MHA members
making environmentally sustainable choices for the operating room that also
save money. Learn more and register online. return to top
CDC
issues interim guidelines related to Zika virus
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued
new interim guidance on preventing sexual transmission of Zika virus after
confirming through laboratory testing, in collaboration with Dallas County
Health and Human Services, the first case of Zika virus infection in a
non-traveler in the continental United States during this outbreak.
The CDC also has updated its interim guidance for health care providers in the
United States caring for pregnant women and women of reproductive age with
possible Zika virus exposure.
For the latest information on Zika virus, visit the CDC website. Guidance on Zika virus, its
transmission, treatment and response to the outbreak will continue to be
updated as more becomes known. return to top
New
open appointments for health care-related members of public entities
The following state open appointments may be of interest to MHA
members.
The Health Care Homes Advisory Council is seeking one certified health care
home representative. The advisory committee shall advise the commissioner of
health on ongoing implementation of the health care homes program including,
but not limited to: implementation activities on performance management and
benchmarking; modifications to the health care homes program based on results
of the legislatively mandated health care home valuation; statewide solutions
for engagement of employers and commercial payers; potential modifications of
the health care home rules or statutes; consumer engagement, including patient-
and family‐centered care, patient activation in health care and shared
decision-making; oversight for health care home subject matter task forces or
work groups; and other related issues as requested by the commissioner.
The Home Care Provider Advisory Council seeks one home care licensee member.
The council will provide advice regarding regulations of the home care
providers including community standards, enforcement of licensing standards and
disciplinary actions, distribution of information to providers and consumers,
training standards, emerging issues and other duties as directed by the
commissioner.
For more information and to apply, please visit the secretary of state’s website. return to top
Up
to $700,000 in health equity funding available
The Blue Cross Foundation will award a total of up to $700,000
to further health equity in communities across Minnesota. “Healthy Communities
2016: Health Equity in Action” provides grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000
each per year. Applicants can apply for one- or two-year grants.
The deadline to submit applications is March 31 at 4 p.m.
Optional workshops and a webinar will be held during February to
answer questions.
Webinar information:
- Feb. 9: Informational
webinar, 9:30-11 a.m. Registration is required. The webinar will be
recorded for later viewing.
Workshop dates and locations:
- Feb. 16: Windom
- Feb. 17: St. Paul
- Feb. 23: St. Cloud
- Feb. 24: Grand Rapids
- Feb. 25: Crookston
Learn more and register for a workshop or the
webinar online. return to top